A shepherd’s wooden staff leaning against a dry-stone wall high on a hillside at dawn, a flock of sheep grazing far below in the valley.

The Book of

1 Peter 5

Peter ends his letter the way Jesus once ended a breakfast with him: with a charge to care for the flock, and a reason not to be afraid.

14 verses≈ 3 min2 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–2:10Living hopeBorn again to an inheritance
2:11–3:12Living as exilesGood lives among unbelievers
3:13–4:19Suffering wellDoing good, following Christ
5Stand firmHumble, alert, held by graceChapter 5

Instructions to Elders

As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you:

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Young lambs crowding around a man’s cupped hands holding out green fodder on a hillside in the morning.

Peter

the crown of glory that will never fade away

1 Peter 5:4

Question

Quick question

Peter tells the elders to shepherd God’s flock willingly and to be examples, and then he gives them a promise.

What will faithful shepherds receive “when the Chief Shepherd appears”?

Cast Your Cares on Him

Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud,

but gives grace to the humble.”

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

1 Peter 5:5

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.

1 Peter 5:7

Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.

Reflect

Cast it on Him

Peter writes, “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” What has been weighing on you lately? Write down the worries you have been carrying. Then hand them to God one by one in prayer, and remember why you can: “He cares for you.”

Benediction and Farewell

The freshly laid stone foundation of a new house, squared and level, in clear morning light with a builder’s tools resting on it.

And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you. To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

0:14

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

From PeterTo the elect exiles of the Dispersion

Through Silvanus, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.

The church in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does my son Mark.

Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

1 Peter 5:12–14

A man in a cloak, seen from behind, knocking at the closed wooden gate of a Jerusalem house at night, lamplight under the gate.

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

From “Babylon” to the provinces

Peter sends greetings from “Babylon.” Most read it as a name for Rome, the great city of the empire. The first Babylon was where God’s people once lived as exiles far from home. From Rome the letter traveled more than a thousand miles east to small churches across five Roman provinces of Asia Minor, carried perhaps by Silvanus, “a faithful brother.”

Pray

The God of all grace

Pray for believers who are suffering for Christ today, your “brothers throughout the world” who are facing the same things. Ask the God of all grace to “restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you,” and to do the same for them. Then end where Peter does: “To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.”

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1 Peter 5

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A verse to carry with you

Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

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